The international human rights watchdog, Human Rights Watch has urged the United Nations to end support to the Congolese army in its military campaign against Rwandan rebels because of alleged human rights violations.
According to a statement issued Monday, Human Rights Watch wants the UN to make sure that the DRC army is not violating international humanitarian law. Their concern is that support of the military campaign actually contradicts the UN’s mandate of civilian protection. However the UN believes that supporting the campaign is also helping to stabilize certain parts of the region.
“The military campaign against Rwandan rebels that is headed by DR Congo and supported by the United Nations has led to the raping of thousands of civilians and brutal killings of hundreds,” Human Rights Watch says in the statement.
One of the army units has lost support of the UN due to the atrocities, and the UN promises to withdraw support from others if reports of the same violations surface. However, Human Rights Watch says it is trying to get the UN to stop supporting all of them until a clear description is created regarding whether or not international humanitarian law can be violated due to joint operations between the UN and other similar types of campaigns.
“The UN Security Council does intend to strengthen support of civilian protection, yet they are unsure of whether or not they will continue to support the military campaigns.”
Source African Press Agency
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